In All Saints, Blessing on Our Summer

Greetings in the Lord!

We have turned to summer, and the weeks ahead will be full of sunshine, activities, and hopeful moments of rest. It is time to take a deep breath, let the sunshine in and allow God to have some vacation too—vacation with us. Having just returned from the annual June plenary of the USCCB in Orlando, it is a relief to be back in Pueblo.

I will be traveling to Telluride July 2, to celebrate the 135^th anniversary of St. Patrick’s church. It occurs that we have been or will be soon celebrating several milestones across the diocese: St. Leander’s, Pueblo 100^th; St. Peter’s, Gunnison, 100^th; St Mary’s, Walsenburg, 125^th. All these parishes and so many missions which were initiated even before the founding of the Diocese, 85 years ago.  Along with congratulations to the parishioners of these parishes, we extend our appreciation to the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, serving St Mary Help of Christians and other parishes in Pueblo, in their 70^th Foundation Anniversary Year.

"It is time to take a deep breath, let the sunshine in and allow God to have some vacation too—vacation with us."

We are now in the eighth centenary, the 800^th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis, patron saint of Colorado. A jubilee has been proclaimed by Pope Leo, as you will see in the message of the Capuchin Poor Clares, given below.  Altogether with the consecration of the United States of America in its 250^th anniversary year to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by the U.S. bishops in Orlando two weeks ago, and the implications for our diocese with so many churches dedicated to and through the Sacred Heart, we are given much to reflect on with many spiritual blessings from the past, and still coming.

So many saints over so many centuries! The Church is standing the test of time and we are growing. For our diocese, The Little Way, may this summer be a time of peace, thanksgiving, and welcoming hospitality.  More brothers and sisters are seeking the Truth and coming to our doors. The Catholic tradition of men and women who have witnessed to Jesus with their lives is a living reality; these many saints with their varied gifts bring constant, new energy to our faith. Each anniversary above, and every year to come, represent trillions of people beyond counting, who have been touched by God through witness to him.

"The Church is standing the test of time and we are growing. For our diocese, The Little Way, may this summer be a time of peace, thanksgiving, and welcoming hospitality."

We are an active part of that ongoing blessing. Let us look forward to planning our summer around Jesus. Remember, a cloud of witnesses, our saints, are on call, and we are never alone. The Holy Spirit has surprises in store, and the love of God is to be revealed in new ways.  May our country and your family be blessed through this 4^th of July and the summer to come. May we all move forward in Jesus.

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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